Stirling remained undefeated and on top of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ladder following their two-wicket win over Mt Lofty during round four action at Stirling yesterday. Mt Lofty batted first with Josh Mitchell (54) and Nick Justice (44) adding 84 runs for the first wicket. Ryan Pistola (30 not out), Adam Carthew (24) and Stewart Leigh (21) made handy contributions as the Redcaps posted 5/226 from their 45 overs. Jack Pick (2/29) was the best of the Eagles bowlers. Stirling were in early trouble in the run chase as they slumped to 3/38 in the 16th over. Kurt Zytnik (25), Mitchell Jude (26) and Charlie Fryer (28) put Stirling back in the game, before Harrison Webb made a hard-hitting 40 (26 balls). It came down to the final over of the match with Stirling needing 10 runs to win with veteran Julian Zytnik on strike. Zytnik hit two from the first ball, another two from the second ball (no-ball), and then swung the next ball over the fence to win the game for his side. Zytnik finished on 40 not out (36 balls), while Adam Carthew (2/27) was the pick of the Redcaps bowlers. 

Meadows won their first game of the season with a four-wicket victory over Aldgate at Meadows. The Gaters batted first with Will Quigley-Smith making his first ‘A’ grade century with 106 from 147 balls (7 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), as he added 121 for the first wicket with Pierce Cordes-Harvey (61 from 82). Max Bilsborow chipped in with 18 not out as Aldgate put up a competitive 5/204 from their 45 overs. Rohan Reid was the standout bowler for the Bulldogs with 3/22 (9). Meadows’ innings was underpinned by a number of handy partnerships, the best being 67 runs for the fourth wicket between Rohan Reid and Haydn Reid, before Haydn was dismissed for 44 (50). Rohan went on to top score with 73 (72) as the winning runs came up in the 45th over. Quigley-Smith was the only multiple wicket taker for Aldgate with 2/28 (3). 

Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) also notched their first win of the season with a comfortable 78-run win at Kangarilla. SCIB batted first and notched 5/175 from their 45 overs. Adam Shearwood (45), Aaron Thompson (34) and Darcy Campbell (25) were the leading runs scorers for the visitors. Ryan Grimmond (3/39) and former Flagstaff Hill captain Jacob Lemon (2/27), in his first game for Kangarilla, were the wicket takers. Kangarilla were never in the run chase as they slipped to 5/46, before Michael White (28) added some hope, before his side were eventually bowled out in the 35th over for 97. Veteran Ben McGowan was the standout SCIB bowler with 4/24 (8) and he was well supported by Lachie Knight (2/26).

Uraidla had the bye.

Ladder (after round 4)

Stirling 10, Scott Creek Ironbank 6, Meadows 6, Kangarilla 6, Mt Lofty 4, Uraidla 2, Aldgate 2.

Round 5 (8/11/25 - home team named first)

Mt Lofty v Kangarilla

Uraidla v Scott Creek Ironbank

Stirling v Meadows

Aldgate has the bye